2019-4

Walk # 398 September 4 2019 A beachwalk at the Royal Bay BeachPark in Colwood

This is the path in front of the Royal Bay Beach park.

The CanRamblers met at the parking area at the Royal Bay BeachPark where the green grass and the small park like area is complete with porta potties. A path and stairs leads down to the lower parking lot where there is parking for those with disability stickers. On the beach there is a gate that is opened in the mornings and locked every night at 11PM. A path leads both ways along a dirt embankment a few feet above the beach. However there are no stairs that you can use to get onto the beach so you have to scramble down the dirt bank to the logs and pebble beach wherever you can find a place that's safe to do that. The Royal Bay people should put in some proper stairs there. We walked both directions as far as the paths went and did a little beach walking before going back to Bucky's Taproom in Langford for lunch.

Terry's photos
Claudia's photos

Walk # 399 September 11, 2019 Cedar Hill Golf Course Chip Trail

Here's the group starting out on the chip trail.

Roy stepped up to lead this walk around the chip trail at the Cedar Hill Golf Course park. It was a pretty good turnout for a last minute walk. The weather was good for a nearly mid September walk. Most of the group went back to Maude Hunter's for lunch.
Dave's photos
Claudia's photos

Walk # 400 September 18th 2019 The Lochside Trail from near McKenzie Ave. going north

The group crosses Blenkinsop lake.

The rainy weather gave us a break again and we walked out the Lochside Trail from the parking area beyond the Monkey Tree Pub. In facat it got so sunny and warm a lot of us discovered that we were overdressed. Most of the group walked for thirty minutes and them turned around. A few die=hards walked for 40+ minutes and got all the way to Lochside Elementary School before turning around. The Monkey Tree Pub has it's Taco Wednesday lunch special, but most of us had something different for lunch.

Phil's photos
Terry's photos
Claudia's photos

CanRamblers enjoying lunch at the Monkey Tree Pub.
Photo taken by Colin Davenport

Walk # 401 September 25th 2019 A walk from Uptown to the Lochside Trail and Swan lake trail

This is the group walking part of the Swan lake Trail.

A nice sunny day to park at Uptown, then walk over tot he Lochside Trail and walk out as far as Saanich Road, then onto the Swan lake Trail where half the group choose to walk all the way around the lake and the other half walked on the part of the trail that parallels the Lochside Trail. We met up at the far side of the lake and doubled back to take the side trail that leads up to the parking at the back of the Saanich Municipal Hall. Then we followed the Lochside Trail back to Uptown. We went to the Uptown Bistro for lunch.
Terry's photos

Walk # 402 October 2nd 2019 The Colquitz River Trail from Mann Ave. going south

This photo show most of the group walking through Copley Park.

The CanRamblers parked on Mann Ave. this time near the trail entrances for the Colquitz River Trail. We chose to walk south along the river's edge and through the various small parks that the trail passes through. We walked for about 30 minutes and got to Roy Road when we turned around. It's easy walking and if you have the time you can walk all the way to Hyacinth Park at Marigold Road where the river splits into two branches that go over to Swan lake or continue on to Cuthbert Holmes Park and empties into the Gorge waterway behind the Tillicum Mall. We walked back to our cars and drove the short distance to the Med Grill at Royal Oak. A very nice place to have lunch.
Phil's photos
Claudia's photos
Terry's photos

Walk # 403 October 9th 2019 The Strachan Trail and boardwalk from Savory Road

The group starting out on the Strachan Trail from Savory Road.

This was an "out and back" walk starting from Savory Road to the end of the boardwalk at the far end of the lake. Then walking back to the start. The weather was sunny but chilly in the shade, All together about 4.4 kilometers of walking. Along the way I found several painted rocks that you can see in my photos. We have found painted rocks in three of the walks we have done lately. It's kind of nice to find these little treasures, and we always leave them for the other walkers to find on their walks. We went to the Log House Pub on Millstream Road for a nice lunch.
Terry's photos
Claudia's photos

Walk # 404 October 16th 2019 Walking the west side of Elk Lake from the north end.

The group walks along Bear Hill Road , along the west side of Elk lake.

The CanRamblers lucked out again and had a nice dry day to enjoy the fall colours on this walk that started from the parking area on Bear Hill Road and walking south for about 30 minutes and then walking back. We covered more than 4.6 kilometers in just about a hour. We went back to the Lakes Grillhouse at the Howard Johnson Hotel for lunch this time. There were two painted rocks found this time.
Terry's photos
Claudia's photos

Walk # 405 October 23rd 2019 Broadmede Trails in the fall from Donwood Drive

The group walks up Pheasantwood Terrace to find the next trail to walk.

On a chilly but dry fall day the CanRamblers drove to the Broadmede area and parked on Donwood Drive. A short walk took us to Copsewood Place where we entered the trail that goes around Lohbrunner lake. This tiny pond is spring fed and is hidden behind the homes. The trail loops around and comes out near where you entered. A flock of ducks greeted us as if they were used to being fed. We then walked down to Pheasantwood Terrace and walked almost up to the end where we entered the trail behind a large hedge. This trail goes all the way down to Donwood Drive and even further to Faithwood Road. That's where it ends. We walked back along Thistlewood to Donwood and back to our cars. Floyd's Diner in Royal Oak was the lunch destination. I think that most enjoyed their lunch. The beer list could be improved though.
Claudia's photos
Terry's photos

Walk # 406 October 30th 2019 Walking the Mt. Douglas Lower Trails in the fall.

The group is walking near the Douglas Creek where it crosses under Ash Road.

It was a crisp and cold day at the end of October when we parked at the main parking area in Mt. Douglas park and Wenche took over as the leader to lead us through the lower trails in this beautiful forest park. If you look at the map in Terry's photos you will see the route we took. One of the trails we took isn't on the main map, It's narrow, covered with leaves but easy to follow. We soon got back on the main trail that leads back to Ash Road. and we walked down Durling Place to find the trail that leads into the path that goes close to the water's edge. Nice views of the ocean, and back to Ash Road eventually. Then back to the parking area where we started. The group went to Maude Hunter's Pub for lunch.
Claudia's photos
Terry's photos

November 2nd 2019 - Marvellous Maple Leaf Adventures Tug Boat Tour

Ahoy! Thanks to Marion for organizing such a wonderful afternoon excursion with Maple Leaf Adventures, to the crew of the tug boat MV Swell for their amazing hospitality, and to Andrew Tessier, head brewmaster at the Axe & Barrel Brewing Company, for his seemingly boundless knowledge (and supply) of local craft beer. We cruised for 4 hours on calm seas from Sidney to Oak Bay through the scenic Gulf Islands, enjoying the sunshine and unseasonably warm temperatures. We saw herons and cormorants and sea lions basking on rocks. What a truly wonderful Saturday afternoon outing for CanRamblers and friends!

Claudia couldn't help it - she took too many photos, so they are divided into 2 separate albums. The camaraderie and hospitality and scenery were all just too irresistible not to try and capture it all for posterity!

Showcasing the people and the truly "Swell" tub boat:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/mw5ynr5MaczqPpem8
Featuring the terrific scenery and wildlife:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/eGNC6PDCySQm93WD8
We're hoping that others who also took photos will share them as well.

Walk # 407 November 6th 2019 A south Oak Bay walk from Windsor Park

The walk started near the tennis courts in Windsor pak and headed south on Island Road. Before we realized it we had passed Central Ave. so we looked for the entrance into the Centennial Trail. This leads us down to Transit Road. We walked back to Central Ave., and then turned left and up Oliver Street. We walked back as far as Brighton where we followed this street and the paths all the way back to Windsor park. We cut across the north end of the park to reach the far side where we parked. A short ten minute drive took us to the Ross Bay Pub for lunch.
Terry's photos
Claudia's photos
Colin's photos

Walk # 408 November 13th 2019 A visit to the Francis King Regional Park

The group meets on the parking area before splitting into two groups to explore trails on both sides of the park.

This time the walking group split into two groups to do two very different trails in this wooded nature park. Most of the group went to the High Ridge Trail and four of the group walked the Elsie King trail which is very easy and only about 900 meters long. There were lots of mushrooms to look at and plenty of beautiful forest to enjoy. The group that did the Elsie King trail did it twice, once clockwise and then counter clockwise; just to see everything that we could. I visited this park almost 50 years ago to find the small cave that is located just off the broadwalk. I found it again just as I remembered it. It could have been a burial cave like the other cave that is off of the Centennial Trail. No human remains are left in either of the caves. We went to the Six Mile house for lunch afterwards.
Colin's photos
Claudia's photos
Terry's photos

Walk #409 November 20 2019 A walk along part of Island View Beach Regional Park

The group heads out on the path to the north end of the beach.

It was a bright and sunny day when we walked along the path that leads north along the edge of the beach at Island View Beach Regional Park. No wind either; so it was much warmer that we expected. The group walked all the way to the limit of the park and turned around; this walk only took about 40 minutes. We were hungry though so we hurried off to the Prairie Inn where we knew we could get a great lunch for a very reasonable price. The portions are large there too. I guess that's why this is one of the most favored places the group likes to go for lunch.
Claudia's photos

Walk #410 November 27 2019 A walk along the Goldstream River to see the spawning salmon

The group walks toward the nature house at the estuary of the river at the Saanich inlet.

It was sunny; but really windy and cold when we went out to Goldstream Park to walk along the river path towards the estuary to see the spawning Coho and Chum salmon and the eagles. This is a very popular place to go every November when the "salmon spawn" is happening. The river looked low due to the low rainfall we have had this fall. The Nature House near the estuary was busy with several groups of kindergarten children and their parents. Our group went back to the Ma Miller's Pub nearby for lunch and to warm up. For those of you who may be thinking of going there, this years salmon spawn is almost over.
Claudia's photos
Colin's photos
Terry's photos

Walk # 411 December 4th 2019 A Historic Walking Tour of Haunted Places downtown

The group stopped outside of Roger's Chocolates to hear the haunted history of this place.

It had been quite a few years since we did this "Haunted Victoria" walk. The drive downtown was very rainy, but our luck came through again and when we started the walk the rain stopped completely. Our stops of interest included St. Ann's Academy, The Empress Hotel, Roger's Chocolates, Murchies Tea and Coffee, EA Morris tobacconists, and Bastion Square including Helmcken Alley. But first we stopped for a look at the 2019 display of Gingerbread Houses at the Parkside Hotel. We tried to get the musical stair railing at the city parkade to work, but it was not co-operating that day. Our last stop was the Garrick's Head Pub, another haunted place. We almost completely took over the back portion of the pub with our group of 17 persons.
Colin's photos
Terry's photos

Walk # 412 December 11th 2019 A walk from Banfield Park to the other side of the Selkirk Trestle

The group walking across the Selkirk Trestle.

The day was gray, and the sun almost didn't come out very far this day. At least it didn't rain on the walk this day. We started from the parking area at the park and walked down to the path that leads to the Selkirk Trestle. We continued across and took the path to the right that leads to the SMUS rowing club dock and beyond to the end of the path. We looked at the huge pile of crushed cars and scrap metal that it waiting to be loaded onto a barge to be taken to the mainland for recycling. We walked back the way we had come and drove over to the Gorge Point Pub for lunch. The pub was very busy, I think that the seasonal group and office lunches have started. We were lucky to get a group reservation this day.
Terry's photos
Claudia's photos

December 13th 2019 The annual CanRamblers Christmas Party and Potluck Dinner

This year was exceptional with many very nice walks and lots of wonderful pub lunches. To top it off we held our Christmas potLuck dinner and party at the home of Wenche and John again. Claudia took photos and the link for them is below.
Claudia's photos photos.app.goo.gl/vgiqBvyzycKofmjN8

Walk # 413 December 18th 2019 A walk through the Bowker Creek Park and back via the Avenue

This day the CanRamblers met at the Oak Bay Rec Centre and walked the Bowker Creek path to Monterey Rd. Then they turned up to the Oak Bay Avenue and walked back to Elgin Street and through the lane to the Oak Bay Rec Centre again.; a long loop walk. The Christies Carriage House pub was the lunch destination.
Dave's photos photos.app.goo.gl/dxMFRgqgM3kLVoWw6
Colin's photos https://vimeo.com/380421435

Walk # 414 December 26th 2019 A walk along the waterfront from Ross Bay

In front of the Ross Bay Cemetery on the walking path.

The day was chilly and overcast with a light wind but no rain! And the sun tried valiantly to shine through the overcast, to no avail.
Eight of us parked at the Fernwood Plaza, walked from the Ross Bay Pub along Earl Place, south to the water; then along Dallas Road; over to Busby Street, east to Memorial, through the Ross Bay Cemetery and then back to the Pub.
Dave's photos

September, October, November​December 2019